She was an unwelcome addition on her Uncles farm. He was filled with wanderlust, only to have his romanic ideas of the open road shattered. They come together in a sad tale of two misfits trying to survive in a world where they are very much alone.

ExcerptHe finished his stew and was set on going into the bunkhouse to find himself a place to sleep, when he noticed a tall, thin figure standing on the edges of the firelight. It was a long-haired girl. She stood watching the woman tend the cooking pot, who feeling herself being watched, turned around and said to the girl, "I s'pose ya be wantin' somepin' ta eat?"
"Yes 'um." answered the girl.

It was early in the 1900's when Addie was brought to her uncle Ira's house. Addie had been staying with the orphange when they found out where her uncle was living and told her she must live with him because the orphange was too full.

During her stay with Ira, he was very mean to her. He was verbally abusive to her and locked the cabinets so she couldn't eat when she wanted. She had the same clothes to wear everyday and no shoes. He also sent her to the store everyday to get whisky. He just let the bottles pile up on the floor.

One of the store owners in town, Eleanor, watched Addie get Ira's whisky and rush back to the house. One day, Eleanor gave Addie a new dress to wear. She was so happy to have something that was her own. When she wore it in front of her uncle, he tore the dress off of her and ripped it in two. He said they didn't need any charity.

There were some young boys who worked in the field plowing, and saw Addie. The leader of the group wanted to have some fun, captured Addie and cornered her in the barn. There was one boy who was bigger than all the rest. His name was Tom. He saved Addie from the boys, and many more times throughout their short lives.

When Tom's mother passed away, he left town. He returned six years later to find that Addie was now a young woman. Still wearing no shoes, and the same ratty clothes, they became close friends and lovers. She was still afraid of her uncle because if he found anyone near her, he would kill them.

Sometimes people's lives take funny turns. If only Tom and Addie knew what was in store for them, would their lives have turned out differently?

I thought this was an excellent story! Short and to the point, the author, Ms. Alexander, makes this story of two young lives very believable. It all flowed together nicely, without straying off, making it boring. I can't wait to read more of this author's work!

Nebraska USA (6/8/2003) With simple dialog and stark passages reminiscent of Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, Ms. Alexander takes us into Addie Myers' life. Neither story nor setting is pretty, but somehow this reader was enriched by the telling. Addie Myers is a scrawny ten year old orphan, dumped off on a brutish uncle in the early years of the dust bowl and depression. Uncle Ira offers no creature comforts, no hope, and very little food to keep an unloved child alive. And the good folks of Suicide Oklahoma prefer not to get involved. Staunch Christian souls that they are, they know Addie's history and that her future will no doubt be as suspect as her past. The hand of friendship is extended only by Miss Eleanor at the general store, and an awkward boy named Tom. What little hope Tom has for a promising life away from Suicide is shattered in his youth. And Addie lives a bare existence, trying to stay out of her loutish uncle's reach as she comes of age. With nowhere to go and no one to guide or protect her, Addie silently seeks acceptance in the fields, birds, and animals, the prairie winds and skies. Spare blessings come in the form of Tom's love for a wild girl and her blossoming to the only tenderness she's ever known. Not even the revelation of dark secrets or the shocking end of Return to Suicide negates the sweetness Tom and Addie share for a brief time. I congratulate the author for making this story work, for bringing a sense of beauty out of hopelessness and dust

I just happened onto this sight and saw the cover of this book, and HAD to read the first chapter! I like the style of the writing- very simple and forthcoming. I can really picture this girl on a windblown front porch!

I was taken in immediately. I appreciate the simple style. I want to read more. I love the little girl already. I adopted a girl at age five and she asked me if I wanted her. This sadness is already communicated in this story after a few pages. Great job!

Reviewed by Diane

9/1/2001

If the rest of the book is anything like the first chapter, we've got a winner. Who would't feel sorry for ten-year old Addie?

Reviewed by p. sullivan

8/30/2001

I see a lot of depth in the character Addie and potential for the Uncle too. I want to know how the story develops. You paint a rich picture.

Reviewed by Steve

8/30/2001

When I began reading, it seemed to flow, like a river, deep and powerful. I could see the child hiding behind the woman's skirt, then it ended. How do I get more?

Steve

Reviewed by W. melvin

8/29/2001

I've read the sample chapter! Can't wait to find out what happens to this innocent young child!

Reviewed by Rosemarie dwn

8/29/2001

Return to Suicide is troubling and sad. I loved the characters, especially Addie.